Police praise shoppers who foiled City jewel raid by sitting on thieves

Monday 13 December 2010 11:58 BST

Target: the One New Change jewellers

Smash and grab raiders who launched an attack on a City jewellers were foiled by a group of Christmas shoppers.

Four men on two stolen motorcycles roared into One New Change shopping centre near St Paul's.

Armed with sledgehammers, two of the gang smashed their way through the front door of the Fraser Hart store before grabbing handfuls of watches.

While they were inside two men, both believed to be passers-by, held the store's door shut to prevent the robbers escaping. As they tried to smash their way out, a woman joined in and helped to grab two of the raiders.

One of the motorcyclists rode his bike at people to try to keep them away.

As they were wrestled to the ground, up to 20 more shoppers and security guards piled in, sitting on the pair until police arrived. Two of the thieves managed to escape.

One police source said: "The shoppers were incredibly brave, particularly the woman." She was punched in the face and suffered bruises and scratches.

The raiders are believed to have grabbed up to £200,000 of watches but some were dropped as they tried to get away and the store was still counting the final cost today.

The raid, on Friday afternoon, was the first time a store in the new City mall has been targeted.

One New Change, which includes Marks & Spencer and Banana Republic over three floors, as well as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay restaurants, opened in October last year and attracts 10,000 customers a day.

Amber Price, 19, who works at Oliver Bonas, said: "It was horrific — I saw motorbikes circling around the forecourt area driving at people to scare them. They nearly hit a baby in a pram then I heard a massive smash as they hit the door with sledgehammers. I had to lock all of our customers in our shop because people were screaming that they had a gun.

"After they were pinned down by members of the public their balaclavas were taken off. They were only young teenagers."

Two men, aged 19 and 20, were appearing before City of London magistrates today charged with robbery. One was charged with assault.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 0207 601 2222.

* Were you one of the shoppers who stopped the raiders? If so please contact news@standard.co.uk and leave you name and phone number. Thank you